West Second Street Historic District

The West Second Street Historic District is the oldest and most architecturally diverse historic district in Mesa. This district is significant not only for its rich architectural variety but also for its historical association with the development of Mesa’s prominent middle- and upper-class families during the early 1900s.

Historic Designation

Mesa Local Historic District - Designated 1994 / Expanded 2001

National Register Historic District -  Listed 1999 / Expanded 2003

  • Period of Significance - 1883 to 1959
  • Buildings – 89 Single-family homes, Multi-family homes, Offices and Institutional
  • Contributing – 67 Buildings (78%)
  • Non-Contributing – 19 Buildings (22%)

Contributing & Non-Contributing Properties list(PDF, 292KB)

District Boundaries

The West Second Street Historic District is located within the original Mesa Townsite boundaries and includes four north-south streets--Robson Street, Macdonald Street, Drew Street, and Center Street--and two east-west streets--Second Street and First Street.

Development

Encompassing portions of five blocks from the original townsite, the district showcases the early transformation of Mesa from a rural community to suburban estates. Unlike the formal replatting of entire blocks into residential subdivisions, the original "City of Zion" garden blocks were divided into individual lots through gradual lot splits. This process allowed for a more organic, incremental development of the area.

A defining feature of the district is its wide public rights-of-way, which were improved and narrowed through the introduction of tree-lined, grassy medians. These landscaped medians are significant character-defining elements that contribute to the district's unique charm.

The oldest home in the district, the Hakes/Isley/McDavid House, dates from around 1884-1890, and subsequent homes were added over time, resulting in a rich mix of architectural styles and construction dates. This slow, informal development process gives the West Second Street Historic District its eclectic and diverse architectural character.

Architectural Styles

The West Second Street Historic District features a diverse array of architectural styles that reflect its more than 37 years of development. The earliest homes in the district are primarily National Folk or Vernacular style, typical of the initial settlement period in Mesa, though this style also appears in homes built toward the end of World War II.

The majority of homes in the district are Bungalows, which were popular in the 1920s. During this period, Period Revival styles--drawing on European architectural traditions--began to emerge in Mesa. Notable among these are the Mission Revival and Colonial Revival styles, which can be found in several homes within the district.

The few Ranch-style homes on the edges of the district reflect the resurgence of residential construction in Mesa following the Great Depression. This mix of architectural styles illustrates the evolving character of the district and its development over several decades.

Conservation of Streetscape Character

Residents of the West Second Street Historic District, in collaboration with Mesa, have made the preservation of their unique landscaping a top priority. The district is home to some of the last remaining citrus-lined medians in Mesa, along with carob and china berry trees, many of which have been part of the community for over a century. These trees are not only significant for their historical and cultural value but also for their environmental contributions, providing shade, enhancing biodiversity, and maintaining the district’s distinct character.

Over the years, the community has successfully leveraged its collective influence to protect these iconic trees and landscaping elements, even advocating for the preservation of towering trees that reach heights of 100 feet or more. The district has played an active role in preventing the destruction of these trees, ensuring that they continue to serve as living landmarks and contribute to the area's historic charm.